COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

MOTION NO. 20

MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

That this Area Committee in seeking to respond to residents concerns over anti-social behaviour in and around Griffeen Valley Park recommends that an electronic-timer controlled locking system, as piloted in Rathfarnham Castle Park, be installed to prevent night-time access to Griffeen Valley Park through the pedestrian gate at Griffeen Glen Park/Elm Green; and in the more immediate term that barriers be put up on both side of the gates, in effect making it a kissing-gate; so as to prevent access by horses and scrambler-bikes through this gate.

REPORT:

It would not be practical to lock the entrances to Griffeen Valley Park from adjoining residential estates due to the high level of use that the Park receives outside of normal park opening hours.  This includes children travelling to school early in the morning, park users exercising their dogs early in the morning and late in the evening and users of the Sports & Leisure complex who commute through the Park to travel to and from the Sports Centre, again outside of normal park opening hours.

The use of electric-timer controlled gates does however provide an alternative solution to controlling access.  Any decision to consider the use of this system at Griffeeen Glen Park/Elm Green will take account of the experiences of the electronic gate at Rathfarnham Castle and the availability of resources to undertake the works.

The issue of horses and scramblers gaining access to Griffeen Valley Park through this access point is not something that is causing significant problems.  Nevertheless the provision of a vehicle control gate will be considered having regard to the number of recorded incidences of horses and scramblers that enter the Park through this gate.  The provision of such control measures is subject to the identification of the necessary resources.